4 Tips to Avoid Premed Burnout

• Prioritize Self-Care

  • Often, university or community-based university-affiliated often have established fellowship program tracks at the institution. These are often the very programs that take their residents into fellowship, so it can be beneficial to pursue these programs in anticipation of having exposure to both an academic setting and fellows in the specialty of interest while in training. 
  • Helpful Resources:
    • Headspace: A meditation app to help manage stress. 
    • Libby: Check out e-books and audiobooks for free from your local library.

• Establish A Support System

  • Having and utilizing a support system is crucial during the medical school application process. Do not hesitate to lean into your friends and family during this time. If you feel that your support is lacking, join your school’s premed organizations or meet with a premed advisor.
  • Helpful Resources:
    • Student Doctor Network: An online community where pre-medical students share experiences and advice.
    • Crisis TextLine: A text-based service that provides free support for anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

• Practice Time Management

  • The med school application process is very involved and can be confusing with its myriad requirements of volunteering, research, clinical experiences, and more. Developing effective time management strategies will help you balance your premed duties and your personal life.
  • Helpful Resources:
    • Todoist: A task management tool to help organize your to-do list.
    • Pomodoro Technique: A time management method using intervals to enhance focus and productivity.

• Focus on Your Health

  • It is well known that doctors have some of the worst health of all professions. Similarly to medicine, the process of applying to medical school also often takes a toll on applicants’ health. Therefore, it’s important to prioritize your health. Are you getting at least seven hours of sleep? Are you eating your fruits and veggies and quality meals? Are you getting enough physical activity? Try making simple changes that you can easily incorporate into your routine without compromising your time for studying, volunteering, and other premed activities. For example, walk on the treadmill or get on the stationary bike while you study. Put away your phone 30 minutes before bed.

As a medical school applicant and future physician, it is crucial to prioritize your mental well being. Implementing our tips will help you balance your premed journey while maintaining your mental wellness so that you can thrive and achieve your dream of becoming a doctor!